Grave-curbing device.



No. 686,536. Patented Nov. I2, IQOI.

F. C. RHEUBOTTOM.

GRAVE CUBBING DEVICE.

(Appl t n l Aug 4 1900) (No Model.)

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f UNITED 'STATES `PATENT FFICE.

FRANK C. RHEUBOTTOM, 0F UNION CITY, YMICHIGAN.

GRAVE-CURBING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 686,536, dated November 12, 1901. Application filed August 4, 1900. Serial No. 25.891. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, FRANK C. RHEUBOTTOM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Union City, in the county of Branch, State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Grave-Curbing Device, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in a curbing device adapted to the use of excavating graves or other excavations of like nature Where the earth is of sandy or loose nature and liable to cave or slide into the excavation.

The objects of my improvement are, iirst, to produce a device that is adjustable to difterent sizes of excavations; secon d, one that may be readily removed from' the excavation, and third, one capable of being packed into a small space for storage or transportation. I attain these objects by the apparatus as shown and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective View of one-half of the device, showing one side and end of the same When placed in a grave. Fig. 2 shows the adjustable joint in frame A with set-screw a forfastening the same. Fig. 3 shows the hook for removing the curbing.

Similar letters referto similar parts.

A is the tubular frame to be placed around the top of the grave; B B, the sharpened iron stakes to be used at the corners and sides of grave, passing through frame A into the earth; C C, curbing, which may be made of wood or metal; a, set-screw for fastening adjustable joint in frame A; b, cross or center connection in frame A Where center-stake B passes through frame A into the earth; c, corner connection Where corner-stake B passes through frame A5 d, projecting ends extending beyond corners of frame A onto the surface of the ground at the corners of the grave; e, joint where frame A telescopes or adjusts to different lengths and widths 5 f, holes in curb.- ing-boards C Where hook No. 3 may be'inserted to remove curbing from grave; g, marks on small tubing in frame A indicating feet and inches, so the frame may be adjusted to the required size.

Wishing to make an excavation in loose ground, the frame A is adjusted to the length and width the grave is to be excavated by loosening the set-screws a a and sliding or telescoping the frame A at the joints e until the desired length and Width is obtained, as

designated by scale of feet and inches on small tube in frame A. The set-screws are then tightened, making the frame A so it cannot be slid together. The stakes B are then placed through the connections c and d into the earth and driven down, when the earth is thrown out and the excavation surrounded by frame A to a depth where it is vliable to cave or the earth from the banks slide in. The curbing-boards are then placed horizontally with the frame A between the stakes B and the earth or Wall of the grave, with the ends lapping by each other at the center stakes B and passing behind corner-stakes B at the corners of the grave. As the excavation is made deeper the stakes B are driven down and more curbing-boards are placed on the iirst and the whole are slid down. The operation is repeated until the required depth is. reached. The stakes B, being long enough to reach some distance below the bottom of the grave, (when driven down even with the top of the frame A,) hold the curbing from crowding in at the bottom from the pressure of earth upon it. End curbing-boards may be used behind end stakes and the entire grave curbed complete. One or both sides of grave may be curbed, as desired. The projecting ends d of frame A project out onto the solid earth at the ends of the grave, holding the frame A from settling into the excavation.

Wishing to remove the curbing from the grave, the frame A is lifted up o from the tops of the stakes B, leaving the end curbing loose and readily removed; The curbing is then removed by inserting the hook No. 3 into the holes f and lifting the boards out. The stakes being free from pressure are readily removed.

The frame A may be telescoped together and the device packed into small space for storage or transportation.

What I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

An adjustable curbing, comprising an adjustable tubular frame A made of two sizes IOO of gas-pipe or tubing, so constructed that it In testimony whereof I have signed my will telescope together in length and Width, name to this specification in the presence of iron stakes B and curbing-boards C, adapted two subscribing witnesses.

to be engaged by a hook 3, the same forming FRANK C. RHEUBOTTOM. 5 u curbing device, adapted to the curbing of Witnesses:

graves of ldifferent sizes, the same substan- S. G. NEWMAN,

tially as described. HARRY BRADNER. 

